Rumours of its demolition ramped up this week after word of a meeting between Parks Canada and Richmond County came to light.

However, Richmond County officials report that the meeting was with Parks Canada about lease negotiations for St. Peter's Canal development and not the lockmaster's house.

"To be clear, we have no plans to do anything with the lockmaster's house," Richmond County CAO Warren Olson said of rumours that developers were also at the meeting.

"Well, there are no developers and we don't even have a lease yet, so we are not even allowed yet to do anything on the land."

An environmental review is underway as part of lease negotiations with Parks Canada, he said. If leases are obtained, $2 million will be earmarked for the canal as part of a $6.7-million investment in the area.

The plan includes an observation tower with views of the canal, the Bras d'Or Lake and the ocean. There will also be a pavillion for an entertainment centre and places for new entrepreneurs.

"It's a very good plan, but what we've repeated is that at no time did the lockmaster's house come up in anybody's deliberations with us and at no time did we ask Parks Canada for it. It's not a part of our plans."

As for Parks Canada plans for the house, Olson said the federal agency would have to speak to that.

"I don't want to speak for them, but I'm sure it is part of their deliberations. I'm sure they will be looking at what they'll do with that."

Despite the county's assurances that they have no plans for the lockmaster's house, community fears of its demolition remain.

David Stone has heard Parks Canada has the building under "cultural assessment," which he said was a polite word for euthanasia.

"The bottom line is not whether the county has any involvement or not, we don't care about that," said Stone.

"It's the involvement of Parks Canada. It's their property and they are the ones who have let it become what it has become. The insides are basically in ruins."

The lockmaster’s house is a recognized federal heritage building. It was built in 1876 and closely associated with the early history of St. Peter’s canal and its role in the development of the village of St. Peter’s, according to Canada's Historic Places.

Stone said it has hosted reputable families since its construction, but has been empty since 1983.

"There has been a couple of different community groups over the past 15 years that have partitioned Parks Canada to use the property as a museum."

He said there were talks to move the Nicholas Denys museum into the lockmaster's house, but no one has been able to manoeuvre through the red tape of making that happen.

"The big fear is that it is one of the few historic buildings left in the community," he said, adding that the old telephone operators house and the kilt shop as others.

"I just laugh when I look at other communities that value their other historic properties and fix them up."

Al Calder is preparing to send letters to Leona Aglukkaq, the federal minister for Parks Canada, as well as provincial officials, to seek clarification of Parks Canada's plans for the lockmaster's house.

"We want to know what is going on is the biggest thing," Calder said. "I don't like running on rumours so we would like to get it from the horse's mouth if that is possible."

He's also disappointed Richmond County hasn't included the historic site in its canal plans.

"The county should have lots of interest in that especially if they are trying to develop that area," Calder said. "Things just don't add up."

Parks Canada spokeswoman Maria O’Hearn said Wednesday that “the lockmaster's house is a heritage building and we will look at all viable options before considering demolition.”

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alex

August 20, 2014 - 18:35

my opinion- give CBU use of the house to have students study, photograph, video it and create a nice memory for all, then bring in the bulldozer so taxpayers don't have to pay to keep it standing, as that bill will never stop- its time